Area Converter

Converting between area units

Area measures the size of a surface, and the units jump around depending on the context: square metres for a room, hectares or acres for land, square miles for regions. This converter moves between them all so you do not have to memorise the factors.

For larger scales, one square mile is 640 acres, which is why farmland in some countries is still measured in those old units.

How to use this calculator

1. Choose the area unit you have, then choose the unit you want to convert to.
2. Enter the number you want to convert, for example \(3.5\) or \(1200\).
3. Check the conversion result, and if needed, compare it with the step-by-step explanation.
4. Use the result to estimate, compare, or report area in the unit that fits your task.

The formula explained

This tool converts area by using fixed unit relationships, such as \(1\\text{ hectare} = 10000\\text{ m}^2 = 2.471\\text{ acres}\). The calculator applies the correct conversion factor so you can move between units without changing the actual size.

• x = the starting area value you enter
• y = the converted area value
• \(\text{unit}_1\) = the original area unit
• \(\text{unit}_2\) = the target area unit

Step by step method

1. Write the given area with its original unit, such as \(5\\text{ ha}\).
2. Use the correct conversion factor for the target unit, for example \(1\\text{ ha} = 10000\\text{ m}^2\).
3. Multiply or divide as needed to change units, while keeping the same area.
4. State the final answer in the new unit and check that the size makes sense.

Worked example

Problem. Convert \(3\\text{ hectares}\) to square meters and acres.

1. Use \(1\\text{ hectare} = 10000\\text{ m}^2\), so \(3\\text{ ha} = 3 \times 10000\\text{ m}^2\).
2. That gives \(30000\\text{ m}^2\).
3. Use \(1\\text{ hectare} = 2.471\\text{ acres}\), so \(3\\text{ ha} = 3 \times 2.471\\text{ acres}\\approx 7.413\\text{ acres}\).

Tips and common mistakes

• Make sure you are converting area units, not length units, because \(1\\text{ m}\) and \(1\\text{ m}^2\) are not the same thing.
• For large land areas, hectares and acres are often easier to read than square meters or square feet.

Frequently asked questions